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Daily Record
a day ago
- General
- Daily Record
Massive turnout as Navy's last Falklands warship departs dock for the final time
The Type 82 destroyer was launched in 1969 and was the only one of its kind to be built - and now it is being towed to an EU-approved scrapyard in Turkey after being decommissioned A massive crowd flocked to Portsmouth Harbour this week to bid an emotional farewell to the last Royal Navy ship from the Falklands War. Veterans and the public gathered to see off HMS Bristol as it was towed away on Wednesday, nearly five years after being decommissioned. The Type 82 destroyer is headed for an EU-approved scrapyard in Turkey, where its parts will be recycled by the Defence Recycling & Disposals Team. Chris Howe, from the South Atlantic Medal Association 1982, said: "As HMS Bristol embarks on its final voyage to the scrapyard in Turkey, we pause to reflect on its remarkable and unique legacy". "For many veterans, Bristol was more than a vessel - it was a home, a place of camaraderie, and a symbol of resilience. Its departure marks the end of an era, but its contributions to our history and the memories of those who served aboard will endure. "We honour all who sailed in her and bid HMS Bristol a respectful farewell." First commissioned in March 1973, HMS Bristol initially was designed to escort an aircraft carrier that was never built, making it the only warship of its class to enter service. During the Falklands conflict, it led a group of ships to provide reinforcements before joining the carrier battle task group as an air defence destroyer, reports the Express. Following the conflict, the Bristol briefly served as the flagship of the Royal Naval fleet in the region. In 1987, it was converted into a training ship, but an explosion in its boiler led to its repurposing as a harbour training vessel. The ship was eventually decommissioned in October 2020 after 48 years of service. Alistair Hughes, the head of DRDT, outlined the process to Force News: "Recycling of ships at the end of their hull life is routine business for the Royal Navy. "Our aim is to achieve maximum value for money for defence in an environmentally compliant manner - HMS Bristol is a fitting example of this after her many dedicated years of service."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Last Falklands warship given send-off by veterans
Veterans and members of the public have turned out to give a final farewell to a former Royal Navy flagship that played a "vital role" in the Falklands conflict. HMS Bristol was towed out of Portsmouth Harbour on Wednesday, almost five years after it was decommissioned. The warship, which was the last ship serving from the Falklands War, is being taken to a Turkish scrapyard. Chris Howe, from the South Atlantic Medal Association 1982, said the vessel had a "remarkable and unique legacy". The Type 82 destroyer was commissioned in March 1973 but having been designed to defend a class of aircraft carriers which was never built, it was the only warship of its class to enter service. The vessel led a group of two destroyers, five frigates and an RFA supply ship providing reinforcements in the Falklands, and later joined the carrier battle task group as an air defence destroyer. In 1987 it became a training ship before an explosion in its boiler led to it being used as a harbour training vessel - until it was decommissioned in October 2020, after almost 48 years of service. Members of the public and veterans congregated on Old Portsmouth's Round Tower to wave off HMS Bristol, which was visually rust-stained, as it left the Hampshire naval base. "As HMS Bristol embarks on its final voyage to the scrapyard in Turkey, we pause to reflect on its remarkable and unique legacy," Mr Howe said. "For many veterans, Bristol was more than a vessel - it was a home, a place of camaraderie, and a symbol of resilience. "Its departure marks the end of an era, but its contributions to our history and the memories of those who served aboard will endure." "We honour all who sailed in her and bid HMS Bristol a respectful farewell." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Royal Navy
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Last Falklands warship given send-off by veterans
Veterans and members of the public have turned out to give a final farewell to a former Royal Navy flagship that played a "vital role" in the Falklands conflict. HMS Bristol was towed out of Portsmouth Harbour on Wednesday, almost five years after it was decommissioned. The warship, which was the last ship serving from the Falklands War, is being taken to a Turkish scrapyard. Chris Howe, from the South Atlantic Medal Association 1982, said the vessel had a "remarkable and unique legacy". The Type 82 destroyer was commissioned in March 1973 but having been designed to defend a class of aircraft carriers which was never built, it was the only warship of its class to enter service. The vessel led a group of two destroyers, five frigates and an RFA supply ship providing reinforcements in the Falklands, and later joined the carrier battle task group as an air defence destroyer. In 1987 it became a training ship before an explosion in its boiler led to it being used as a harbour training vessel - until it was decommissioned in October 2020, after almost 48 years of service. Members of the public and veterans congregated on Old Portsmouth's Round Tower to wave off HMS Bristol, which was visually rust-stained, as it left the Hampshire naval base. "As HMS Bristol embarks on its final voyage to the scrapyard in Turkey, we pause to reflect on its remarkable and unique legacy," Mr Howe said. "For many veterans, Bristol was more than a vessel - it was a home, a place of camaraderie, and a symbol of resilience. "Its departure marks the end of an era, but its contributions to our history and the memories of those who served aboard will endure." "We honour all who sailed in her and bid HMS Bristol a respectful farewell." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Royal Navy
Telegraph
2 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
Veterans say farewell as last Falklands warship sent to scrapyard
Veterans have said a 'respectful farewell' to the last Falklands-era warship as it was sent off to the scrap heap. HMS Bristol was towed out of Portsmouth Harbour on Wednesday, almost five years after it was decommissioned. The former Royal Navy flagship, which was the last ship serving from the Falklands War, is being taken to a Turkish scrapyard. The Type 82 destroyer was commissioned in March 1973, but having been designed to defend a class of aircraft carriers which was never built it was the only warship of its class to enter service. HMS Bristol led a group of two destroyers, five frigates and a Royal Fleet Auxiliary supply ship providing reinforcements in the Falklands War and later joined the carrier battle task group as an air defence destroyer. In 1987, it became a training ship as part of the Dartmouth Training Squadron before an explosion in its boiler led to it being used as a harbour training vessel at HMS Excellent, Portsmouth, until it was decommissioned in October 2020 after nearly 48 years of service. Members of the public and veterans congregated on Old Portsmouth 's Round Tower to wave off the warship, which was visually rust-stained, as it left the Hampshire naval base. Chris Howe MBE, a Falklands veteran and trustee of the South Atlantic Medal Association 1982, said: 'As HMS Bristol embarks on its final voyage to the scrapyard in Turkey, we pause to reflect on its remarkable and unique legacy. 'This ship played a vital role in the 1982 Falklands conflict, serving as a headquarters and providing steadfast support to British forces. For many veterans, Bristol was more than a vessel – it was a home, a place of camaraderie, and a symbol of resilience. 'Its departure marks the end of an era, but its contributions to our history and the memories of those who served aboard will endure. We honour all who sailed in her and bid HMS Bristol a respectful farewell.' Mr Howe was badly burnt when his ship was sunk by Argentine jets 40 years ago. Nineteen crew members died when the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Coventry was attacked on May 25 1982. HMS Bristol was sold for recycling by ship recycling experts from the defence, equipment and support (DE&S) and defence recycling and disposals team (DRDT), on behalf of the Royal Navy. A DE&S spokesman said it would be taken to a specialist recycling facility within an EU-approved yard in Turkey, with all reusable equipment having been removed for sale. Alistair Hughes, head of DRDT, said: 'Recycling of ships at the end of their hull life is routine business for the Royal Navy and our aim is to achieve maximum value for money for defence in an environmentally compliant manner – HMS Bristol is a fitting example of this after her many dedicated years of service.'
Rhyl Journal
2 days ago
- General
- Rhyl Journal
Last Falklands era warship given ‘respectful farewell' as it heads to scrapyard
HMS Bristol was towed out of Portsmouth Harbour on Wednesday, almost five years after it was decommissioned. The warship, which was the last ship serving from the Falklands war, is being taken to a Turkish scrapyard. The Type 82 destroyer was commissioned in March 1973 but having been designed to defend a class of aircraft carriers which was never built, it was the only warship of its class to enter service. Bristol led a group of two destroyers, five frigates and an RFA supply ship providing reinforcements in the Falklands war and later joined the carrier battle task group as an air defence destroyer. In 1987 it became a training ship as part of the Dartmouth Training Squadron before an explosion in its boiler led to it being used as a harbour training vessel at HMS Excellent, Portsmouth, until it was decommissioned in October 2020 after nearly 48 years of service. Members of the public and veterans congregated on Old Portsmouth's Round Tower to wave off Bristol, which was visually rust-stained, as it left the Hampshire naval base. Chris Howe, of the South Atlantic Medal Association 1982, said: 'As HMS Bristol embarks on its final voyage to the scrapyard in Turkey, we pause to reflect on its remarkable and unique legacy. 'This ship played a vital role in the 1982 Falklands conflict, serving as a headquarters and providing steadfast support to British forces. 'For many veterans, Bristol was more than a vessel – it was a home, a place of camaraderie, and a symbol of resilience. 'Its departure marks the end of an era, but its contributions to our history and the memories of those who served aboard will endure. 'We honour all who sailed in her and bid HMS Bristol a respectful farewell.' HMS Bristol was sold for recycling by ship recycling experts from the Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) Defence Recycling & Disposals Team (DRDT), on behalf of the Royal Navy. A DE&S spokesman said it would be taken to a specialist recycling facility within an EU-approved yard in Turkey, with all reusable equipment having been removed for sale. Alistair Hughes, head of DRDT, said: 'Recycling of ships at the end of their hull life is routine business for the Royal Navy and our aim is to achieve maximum value for money for defence in an environmentally compliant manner – HMS Bristol is a fitting example of this after her many dedicated years of service.'
